Once upon a heartbeat! - (14)




*Click here for the previous chapter...(13)*


Dinner party : 


 Armaan switched off the car engine, as they reached the venue. He picked his mobile and keys from underneath the console. He checked to see everything was switched off properly. Placing the mobile in the pocket of his shirt, he placed the keys in the pocket of his pants. "Can you unlock the seat belt or need my help again, Miss Alora?", Armaan asked in a teasing tone.

Alora shook her head in negation, while she released the seat belt with a thud, mistakenly. "Sorry....sorry Sir..I didn't mean to", she said, apologising for her unruly action. "I should be more careful around him. He is such a neat freak and I'm this lax. But don't they say opposites attract...so...", Alora was occupied in her thoughts.

"No worries. Should we go in now?", Armaan asked as he smiled. 

"We can't go in together. Won't it look awkward?", Alora questioned. 

"Awkward? Why? We met accidentally and I gave you a lift. So what's so suspicious about it? What are you thinking Alora?", Armaan replied, with a slight chuckle. 

"No nothing. Well okay....let's go...yah let's go", Alora murmured. "So it doesn't mean anything to be together?", Alora thought that she was only the one who was reading into it much. 

As they met their colleagues, Alora blurted, "We accidentally met on the road. Sir offered me a lift and so we came in together ", and she exhaled.

Everyone stared at Alora. Even the people who weren't attentive before, were now curious about the unsolicited explanation. 

Armaan glanced at Alora, trying to control his laughter, said, "And now that we are here let's enjoy the dinner party". He covered up the guffaw. 

Alora facepalmed herself, knowing, she had fumbled again. 

"Let's start with introductions of the interns then", one of the male employees suggested. "Let's keep it interesting" the man said looking at Alora.

Armaan glared at this person, but the person, unaware, kept gazing at Alora. Alora was in her own world, ignorant of any ill intentions. 

"Hello! I'm Alora Patel. I've joined Armaan Sir's team. I play badminton, I read books... I don't drink....I mean alcohol", Alora started her introduction.

"Attention everybody! Spare everyone who doesn't like to drink alcohol, no one should force others", Armaan interrupted. 

Alora looked at Armaan, "Awwww is he protecting me....the hero saves damsel in distress.....absolutely novel-style", Alora's soliloquy. She blushed a little but Armaan wasn't even looking at her. He was busy glaring at that man. 

All the interns introduced themselves one by one. 

The party was going on and suddenly Alora got up and with unstable movements tried to walk. She reached the restroom and found Armaan standing there. "Are you okay? You look drunk. You said you don't drink then...", Armaan sounded concerned. 

Alora looked at Armaan with doe eyes and said,"I think someone has spiked my fruit juice. I feel like my head is spinning. I've never experienced this before. I cannot walk straight. I feel like the earth is moving...like an earthquake happening under my feet....". Alora kept making circles with her fingers, gesturing dizziness. And she stumbled and fainted on Armaan's left arm. Armaan quickly caught her into his arms. He looked around and without any one noticing, carried her to the car.

He put her down on the front seat. He took out a jacket and water bottle from the back seat. Placing the jacket on her like a quilt, he sprinkled some water from the bottle on her face. "Get up Alora, open your eyes", he said, as he lightly tapped her cheeks.

"Where am I? Am I in a time machine?", Alora babbled as she opened her eyes and looked around.

"You never fail to be funny", Armaan couldn't stop his laughter now. "Are you okay?", he added.

Alora got up, "Armaan Sir....am so sorry...did I goof up again?..why am I here with you in the car?", Alora came to her senses. She gulped down the water from the bottle, grabbing it from Armaan's hand.

Armaan, with raised eyebrows, gazed at her. "You are so not like me and that's why I like you", he murmured. 

Alora heard him say that and she accidentally, spit some water at him. Armaan's shirt got a little drenched. "I'm sorry Sir....once again I messed up", Alora said and took off the jacket and put it on Armaan. "Your shirt's drenched. So sorry Sir", she kept mumbling.

Armaan held the jacket along with her hand. "Its okay. I'm glad that you are okay", he said.


*Click here for the next chapter....(15)*


AUTHOR'S NOTE  : Your comments make my craft better. Please let me know your thoughts and do write your names while commenting. Thankyou!


Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 4, 2025 at 8:04 AM

    Oh! It is going great. Keep penning.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Deepa V RamanMarch 4, 2025 at 10:56 AM

    Loving it! 😍

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 4, 2025 at 11:35 AM

    व्वा.छान गोष्ट आता छान पुढे जातेय....👍

    ReplyDelete

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